Obama fans rejoice

Megan Scott’s car is sporting a new bumper sticker this morning in honor of Sen. Barack Obama clinching the Democratic nomination for president. “I’ve had this sticker for several months,” she said, “but I was afraid, with all that’s happened, to put it on. Last night, after his speech, ...

By MICHELLE ANSTETT and JOHN PULLIAM

The Register-Mail

By MICHELLE ANSTETT and JOHN PULLIAM

Posted Jun. 4, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 4, 2008 at 3:15 AM

By MICHELLE ANSTETT and JOHN PULLIAM

Posted Jun. 4, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 4, 2008 at 3:15 AM

GALESBURG

Megan Scott’s car is sporting a new bumper sticker this morning in honor of Sen. Barack Obama clinching the Democratic nomination for president.

“I’ve had this sticker for several months,” she said, “but I was afraid, with all that’s happened, to put it on. Last night, after his speech, I put the bumper sticker on the back of my car. That was a big moment for me.”

The Knox College alumni magazine editor and her husband, along with a friend, celebrated the occasion with a bottle of champagne while watching the speeches.

Scott’s not alone in her excitement at the end of a protracted primary season for Democrats, many of whom have been waiting with bated breath to see who the party would place head-to-head against Sen. John McCain in November. Obama edged out rival Sen. Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, claiming 2,154 delegates to her 1,919 in the final races of the season.

Galesburg resident Louisa Buck, who has contributed to Obama’s presidential campaign, has been supporting the Illinois senator since his bid for national office in 2004, when he spoke at a Democratic meeting in Galesburg.

“You’d have to meet him. He is just an amazing, amazing man,” she said. “I’m one of these non-stereotypic elderly women who’s an Obama supporter. I often think of (President John F.) Kennedy, who said something to the effect of the torch is passed to a new generation, and I think that kind of helps sum it up” in Obama’s case.

“We definitely need change,” Buck added.

Knox County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bonnie Harris, a convention delegate for Barack Obama, said tears of joy filled her eyes Tuesday night as Obama was declared the presumptive presidential nominee for the Democrats.

Harris said she and her husband, Jim, were watching TV at the time.

She knows things are far from perfect in the United States. In fact, she said while happy about the outcome of the primary season, she said a prayer for Sen. Obama’s safety during the campaign.

“We know race is going to come into play for some people,” she said. But Harris added Obama’s success also made her realize, “Wow, this country has come such a long way.”

Sen. Obama’s campaign marks the first time Harris has donated money to a presidential campaign. One of the reasons she likes him so much is his apparent desire to unite the country. Obama has often said he does not want to be president of the red states or the blue states, but president of the United States.

“We need to move our country forward,” she said. “It sounds to me like he wants to be president for all the people.”

Page 2 of 2 -
Scott also has been a long-time Obama supporter, becoming actively involved in his Senate campaign in 2004. She also had the opportunity to interview the young senator while he was in Galesburg to speak at Knox’s 2005 commencement.

She said Obama spoke about his position as both community servant and civil servant while working for the government.

“He sees the government as an extension of his community service,” she explained. “He is there to help make the government work for his constituents. What I’ve always loved about him is that, when he’s campaigning, it’s all about making government work better ... and it’s about how we all work together.”

The question on many minds is whether Clinton is attempting to position herself for a spot on the ticket. Harris respects Clinton, but voiced some reservations.

“I’m sure he would probably put her on a short list,” Harris said. “My personal concern would not be Sen. Clinton, it would be with her husband. Will he abide by the rules? I think without a doubt Sen. Clinton is a dynamic woman. I think in her own way, she is a very bright woman.”

Harris is sure another woman should play an important part in the campaign. She wants to see more of Sen. Obama’s wife, Michelle.

“I want him to bring Michelle out more, because she is so dynamic,” Harris said, “and she will draw women. She is so eloquent and so bright; a very caring mother. ... I admire that family.”

Scott is also on the fence about who should share the ticket with Obama. She said she believes Clinton would be good for the job, but worries that a partnership between the two rivals wouldn’t really be truthful.

“I would hate for them to be on the ticket together and it would be so obvious that they don’t get along,” she stated, but “if it would make people united, then sure. I hope that we (Democrats) can soon get over the rift that’s in the party and we can all move forward.”

As far as Buck’s concerned, though, Clinton’s name shouldn’t be anywhere near the presidential ballot for 2008.

“I was upset about her lack of graciousness in her speech last night,” she said, noting “the overall feeling” of Clinton’s speech and that “she did not specifically congratulate him on winning.

“People in her audience (were) yelling, ‘Denver! Denver!’ meaning take it to the convention. With Obama, when he mentioned her and praised her, they cheered. We have got to try at least to change the way things are done.”